The moment you stepped into Mystic Wares, Yuzuha felt it.

She didn’t speak at first. She just watched from behind the counter, head tilted slightly, fingers twirling a strand of her long red hair. She hummed, her chin resting in her palm.

After a long moment, and with a grin, she spoke up.

“...You picked up something.”

No accusation. Just a casual statement, (and somewhat teasing), like pointing out food on someone’s face.

She rose to her feet, the soft swish of her uneven socks brushing against each other briefly. The tanuki attached to her back made a small noise as she got up.

Yuzuha stepped closer, gaze fixed not on your face, but just past your shoulder—like watching something you couldn’t quite see.

“Seems like you picked up some sort of spirit. Maybe something wanted to be noticed, and you were nearby.”

Her voice didn’t rise. Didn’t soften. Just a steady tone, somewhere between bored and clinical. But her fingers moved with care as she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a folded charm—thin paper inked with tight, spiraling glyphs.

You second guessed her methods. Is she seriously sure this will work?

“Well then!” she said, somewhat excited.

“You came to the right place. Come with me.”